It was tempting to title this “The Bitch is Back” as Sir Elton sings so eloquently. It is November 22nd, as you know. I have not been here since July 24th, which is just short of 4 months. What? Four months? I traditionally post this photo sometime around Thanksgiving. My produce turkey soup tureen which has a story. I’ll get to that…but first, as I went to post her on Facebook earlier this week, a voice said, “Nope. Not yet. She belongs on the blog.” And so I deleted the post and have no where to go today except here, since tomorrow IS Thanksgiving and I cannot put it off another moment. I could go in two directions at this point. Soup tureen history OR a bit about my sabbatical. Notice I am using a lower case s. Upper case S indicates the Sabbath or related to… There have been many holy things during the break from this blog, but it isn’t what my intention was in taking time off. It’s really been more about procrastination, perfectionism, excuses or simple inaction. The truth is that we moved at the beginning of August. I disengaged from any motion here, told myself another week, and here we are four months later. There are other pieces of the recipe I had let go of for writing and moving, for that matter. And several of those are back in place. Yet this ongoing recipe is in constant adjustment. And today I am excited to be here. On the eve of the Feast of Gratitude. My barking neighbor dog serenading me across the hall as I tap out these words.
sabbatical: any extended period of leave from one’s customary work, especially for rest, to acquire new skills or training, etc.
Last year at this time, this site and my commitment to “report the good news”, “pay attention, be amazed, tell about it”, and to “see the light, carry light, share my light” with the universe was just beginning. I did a vision board with a wise and motivating coach, and in the spring, I launched this site. Some of you were even kind enough to agree to “like” my page to get new posts as I showed up a few times a week. The vision board sat on my desk. And then took a back seat through the move, sometimes on the desk, other times on the floor. Floating around aimlessly, lost and yet not forgotten. Finally, last week, my giant pin board arrived to hang above my NEW desk. And up it went. With intention. Yes, some little winks to see that the vision is evolving. “Everything has a message” is a way of looking at the world. When I am present and open, they come. And who am I to keep them to myself?
The interesting thing is….the soup tureen is not in my possession this holiday. She is presently residing with a family member who has put her to good use with their celebration. Others look forward to seeing her on the Thanksgiving table. I have promised her someday to my niece who is a culinary whiz and enthusiast. Every time we have gone to a wedding in the past 20 years, Andrew exclaims, “How about the turkey?”, when the topic of a gift comes up. I found her at a consignment store in Washington D.C. the first year we were married and hosting Thanksgiving at our townhouse. She was meant to come home with me. Andrew a purveyor of produce by trade, she was symbolic and unique, from ITALY, nonetheless. And I was newly married Mrs. MANISCALCO. And so the story of most holidays at our house began. Me, setting the table, with the pretty dishes and silver and crystal and flowers and ceramic TURKEY. Andrew directing the preparation of the meal at the helm, with me as the sous chef/prep cook/locator of anything and everything kitchen related. And its about the same 22 years later. My ongoing consignment store adventures continue.
I do plan to bring her north for next year, and who knows if that will happen or not. Things from storage have trickled here with better closets and a bit more space. Clarity from a productive downsize and new nest to feather. And that energy I can also bring here to this site. Feathering this nest. Keeping it simple. One post at a time. Spreading light, good news, and the golden nuggets from my path that may speak to you or not. I hope you are well. These holidays are wonderful and sometimes hard. Imperfectly perfect as I heard someone say this morning. I look forward to being back in the groove with you. I have been swirling about making this decision for quite some time. And today I’m finished preheating. Let’s do this. Cook this gorgeous meal.
“We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” T.S. Eliot
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